The HOLOTWIN Workshop, entitled “Enabling Technologies for Next Generation Telepresence Systems”, recently concluded at Sofia Tech Park with a resounding success. The event welcomed an assembly of industry experts, researchers, and tech enthusiasts to dive deep into the intricate world of next-gen telepresence technologies.

One of the most anticipated presentations of the event was the plenary talk on “Quantum Cryptography, Quantum Imaging and Hologram” by Prof. K C Chan from the University of South Florida.

Prof. Chan’s talk was a sweeping exploration of how quantum technologies intersect with our digital lives. His comprehensive perspective on quantum technology’s integration into the metaverse was particularly enlightening. He further delved into the concept of quantum teleportation, showcasing the incredible potential this technology holds in the realm of telepresence.

Lastly, Prof. Chan touched upon the impact of quantum computing on blockchain technologies. He discussed how the rise of quantum computers could shape the blockchain landscape, raising intriguing questions about the future of security and encryption in a quantum era.

In an insightful plenary talk titled “5G+1=6G?”, Prof. Markus Rupp from TU Wien navigated the audience through the evolution of wireless communications, highlighting the potential of 6G. He delved into topics like massive MIMO, illustrating how leveraging multiple antennas can significantly enhance network capacity. Rupp also discussed Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), reflecting on their potential to optimize wireless communication for immersive telepresence. Finally, he touched upon the role of deep learning in managing future 6G networks, underlining its potential to streamline network traffic and improve signal processing. His expert insights set a forward-thinking tone for the event.

Remote presentations from the University of Surrey were among the highlights of the HOLOTWIN workshop. Peng Qian from the Institute of Communication Systems delivered an insightful presentation on “Enabling User Intent-based Network Path Adaptation for Live Metaverse Teleportation”. Qian discussed how network adaptation based on user intent could elevate the metaverse experience, providing users with a seamless, real-time digital journey.

Carl Udora, from the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing, engaged the audience with his talk on “Subjective quality assessment and QoE modelling for Real Time Holographic media streaming”. Udora’s exploration of quality metrics and QoE modelling in holographic media shed light on how creating a reliable, high-quality user experience is paramount in the burgeoning field of holographic telepresence.

In her engrossing talk titled “Truly Human-Centred and Trustworthy eXtended Reality (XR)”, Albena Mihovska from the University of Aarhus delved into the importance of a human-centric approach in XR. She highlighted the necessity of trustworthiness in XR environments, advocating for reliable, secure, and privacy-conscious design. Moreover, Mihovska emphasized the significance of cross-platform interoperability in XR, illustrating the need for seamless interaction across different platforms for an inclusive and robust XR ecosystem. Her insights offered an enriching perspective on the future integration of XR technologies into our daily lives.

Punnarumol Temdee from Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand, delivered an insightful presentation titled “Personalized Environments: Smart Applications in the Sense of Context-aware Computing and Artificial Intelligence”. Temdee delved into the concept of context acquisition, exploring how AI can tailor learning environments to individual needs. She highlighted how different generations learn and adapt to technology differently, emphasising the role of AI in making education more accessible and personalized across various demographics.

Pradorn Sureephong and Suepphong Chernbumroong from Chiang Mai University, Thailand, directed attention towards the world of virtual events and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). They dissected the implications of these digital paradigms and their transformative effect on the way we interact, learn, and transact. Moreover, they focused on the application of virtual reality in education, indicating how this immersive technology could revolutionize the learning experience, making it more engaging and impactful. Both presentations accentuated Thailand’s significant role in shaping the future of telepresence and immersive technologies.

Colleagues from the Motor5G project contributed significantly to the discourse at the HOLOTWIN workshop. Ahmed Marai Ahmed presented “Enhancing 5G and beyond networks using reconfigurable intelligent surface and positioning information”, shedding light on how these technological innovations can optimize network performance and connectivity in the 5G and future networking landscape.

Seyed Salar Sefati delivered an insightful talk on “Ultra-reliability and low-latency communications (URLLC) on the internet of things (IoT)”. He highlighted the crucial role of URLLC in achieving highly reliable and instantaneous communication in IoT, paving the way for more responsive, efficient, and interconnected digital ecosystems.

Atanas Vlahov from the R&D sector at Sofia Tech Park discussed “A small-scale Open RAN testbed for research in the field of mobile networks”. His presentation emphasized the importance of open research platforms in accelerating the development and testing of mobile network solutions, promising a future of enhanced connectivity and network optimization. The contributions from the Motor5G team solidified the workshop’s status as a hotspot for innovative telecommunications exploration.